Dec 23, 1999 - Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar has won the latest round of its ongoing battle with U.S.-based Anheuser-Busch.

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Budvar announced that courts in Latvia and Lithuania had thrown out cases brought by A-B attempting to stop Budvar's use of the "Budweiser" trademark in the two countries. The rulings will allow the Czech government-owned beer maker to continue to sell its beer in Latvia and Lithuania under the trademark.

The two breweries have fought a decades-old trademark battle over rights to use the term "Budweis." It is the German name for the south Bohemian town of Ceske Budejovice, where Budejovicky Budvar is based. On the other hand, A-B began producing its Budweiser before Budvar was brewing.

A-B has had mixed success in pursuing its trademark claim in courts around the world. A recent decision in Britain allows both companies to use the name, while the Swiss have banned Anheuser-Busch from selling beer under the "Bud" name.